I did have a very polished woodit table from the 60s I got from thrift store with 6 chairs recovered them and put at my dining table. The big dining table was used for a huge seeing quilting table a hole was cut out for. my sewing machine to rested on a plywood secured by 4 long carriage bolts..

Phone texting can be bad and make me feel stupid sometimes.

Use a piece of inexpensive piece of formica counter instead of plywood. It'll look nicer than plywood and be smoother.

I use a drop leaf table that I got at the thrift store. I painted it the same color as the walls in my quilting room. I wish I had painted it an off white, as I seem to need more light than I used to. The table is 6 ft by 4 ft. When the sides are dropped down, it is only 2 ft by 4 ft. I will admit that I hardly ever take the sides down, as I have it stacked with all kinds of stuff. Rolling plastic drawers from Walmart fit underit easily. I use an office type chair that can have the height adjusted.

I have limited space too so I found a folding table at Home Depot about 45.00 and its 4 ft long works great and doesn't shake when I sew.

Do you have a resale it shop for Habitat for Humanity? We got a laminate counter top from a island and my husband made shelves for it to sit on. The total cost was around $40. They also sell used kitchen cabinets that you could use for a base on the end of the counter. I got the counter for $20 and the cabinets are not very much either. Some of the items are in really good shape. Just a suggestion.

Ck craigslist; today in my area there is a two piece sewing center for 50; it's nice, to bad I already have one.

I don't know if this will fit your needs, but Amazon.com has a great sewing cabinet on casters. I just bought mine in September and I love it. Here is the link. It comes in two finished a 'cherry finish', which is really more espresso in person and a 'pine finish'. The two vary by about $20.00 but it is nice and sturdy, took me (alone) around 2 1/2 hours to put together. I love mine and it was around $150.00 delivered. Has a nice left table top that extends, plenty of right size storage and under cabinet storage for a sewing machine.
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=sr_1_2_a...023&sr=8-2-acs

Hope this helps!

I have something very similar (an older version I think) and absolutely LOVE it!

I have that cabinet in the darker color and love it! My son put it together in about an hour. When closed, it looks like a piece of furniture. I ordered mine from Walmart and it was shipped "free" to my home...paid $99 plus tax!